PAMA PROSE
BY DALE FORTON
am asked often my opinion on many different subjects. Things like “Where is the best A&P school?” and “Who makes the best hand tools?” Well the answers start with “They all have to meet FAR part 147 criteria,” and “A 3/8 inch open end has to be 3/8 of an inch.” It continues on from there. Some is based on reputation, brand name recognition, price, availability or location and can be mostly personal preference.
Fraction of an Inch... I
Other things I am asked I have a more definite opinion on, from PAMA’s standpoint and my own. One is “What can I do to make myself stand out in the job market?” One of PAMA’s End Statements is a mandate for life-long learning. We believe therein lies one of the answers to that question. Not only does showing your commitment to lifelong learning make you stand out when applying for a job, it should also make you a stand out at your current job.
DALE FORTON has worked in aviation for more than 32 years and as a licensed A&P Technician has been an active PAMA member for more than 26 of those years. For the past seven years he has served on the PAMA Board of Directors as vice chairman of the Board of Directors, Great Lakes Regional Director, Membership Committee Chairman, Governance Committee Chairman, and Strategic Planning Committee Chairman. Formerly a director of maintenance for 135,145, and 147 operations, he has also held positions as service manager, parts manager, technician, and director of product support. Dale has owned his own businesses as well.
“ The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”
What are you doing to continue your education? I would hope at minimum you are reading trade magazines like Aviation Maintenance to at least touch on current trends and knowledge. How about a next step of reading a book or several on a subject that can improve yourself. Many of us do attend manufactures schools for a week or two annually. But again that is just a start. Some do not have that option nor see it as a benefit. (Wrong). If you do not see it as a benefit then you have chosen to stop learning and that is not safe, nor professional. Another option comes every spring as IA renewal seminars pop up all over the country. Yet many times I only see IA’s in attendance. (Wrong again). I always ask why A&Ps, young or old, do not attend these events? They offer many manufactures presenting new information or updates on their products. Other presenters offer training on the soft items like safety management systems, human factors or possibly even a management course.
What about the further steps of college courses? You could take just a management course or two, or perhaps a few classes about accounting, customer service or psychology. Do you have a degree? If not, have you looked into an Associate degree along with your work experience? Do you have an Associates or Bachelors? If Associates, have you looked into credit towards a Bachelors degree. Several colleges are now offering your Associate credits to count toward a Bachelors degree. Masters in sight? Something you may want to tackle. Aristotle knew this many years ago and it does hold true, “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”
I never said that the answer to improving yourself in the job market was an easy one. There is a lot of work involved. But like the question of the best hand tools, one manufacture comes to mind. I do not know of anyone ever telling me they bought a Snap-on wrench that was just a hair too big. They cannot afford for a 3/8 inch wrench to be even a fraction of an inch off. Yes it would be wrong, but bigger than that is their reputation. What makes you think your reputation would not be improved by being the go-to person for knowledge at your job. As your employer and co-workers know, you would not allow yourself to be even a fraction of an inch off!
66 Aviation Maintenance |
avmain-mag.com | August / September 2012
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